The Particulars: Results from renal artery stenosis stenting trials have been inconclusive due to varying levels of patient selection criteria, stenosis severity, and trial site quality. A true assessment of the efficacy of renal artery stenting is needed.
Data Breakdown: For a study, investigators conducted a meta-analysis of trials published from 1966 to 2013 comparing optimal medical therapy alone with optimal medical therapy plus renal artery stenting in patients with renal artery stenosis. Patients who received stents experienced a 10% risk reduction when compared with those who did not. Although blood pressure changes were similar in both populations, antihypertensive medication requirements were significantly lower in stented patients.
Take Home Pearl: Among patients with renal artery stenosis, revascularization with stents appears to decrease the risk of clinical events and antihypertensive medication needs when compared with optimal medical therapy alone.
